What Second Chance Month Means for People Leaving Incarceration
If you or someone you love is returning home after incarceration, Second Chance Month — recognized every April — is a practical reminder that job training programs, workforce development funds, and public benefits may be available to help with the transition. Philadelphia recently joined cities across the country in formally recognizing April as Second Chance Month, spotlighting the reentry services available through its Division of Reentry. But the programs that may help you aren't limited to Philadelphia — federal workforce and benefits programs exist in every state, and knowing which ones you may access is the first step.
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Data Snapshot
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) — the primary federal law funding job training for low-income adults — served approximately 1.7 million participants in Program Year 2022, with adults who face barriers to employment (including people with criminal records) explicitly prioritized for services. States received a combined $2.9 billion in WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker formula funds that year. Individuals with criminal records are listed as a priority population under WIOA Title I. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa
Separately, the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that more than 600,000 people are released from state and federal prisons each year in the United States — a population that faces some of the highest unemployment rates of any demographic group, often exceeding 27% in the first year post-release.
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Federal Job Training Programs That May Be Available to Returning Citizens
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
WIOA is the backbone of publicly funded job training in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through a network of American Job Centers (AJCs), WIOA funds services including:
- Career counseling and assessment
- Occupational skills training (including certifications in healthcare, construction, IT, and manufacturing)
- On-the-job training subsidies paid directly to employers
- Adult education and literacy programs
- Job placement assistance
Who may be eligible: WIOA Adult services are generally available to individuals 18 and older who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. There is no income test for basic career services, but for training funds, priority is given to individuals at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and those who face significant barriers to employment — a category that explicitly includes people with criminal records.
How to access it: Find your nearest American Job Center at careeronestop.org or call 1-877-872-5627. Services are free. You do not need to bring anything to your first visit, though having ID and any discharge paperwork can help staff connect you to the right programs faster.
Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) Program
The U.S. Department of Labor also funds the Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations and workforce agencies specifically to serve people with criminal records. REO-funded programs often offer wraparound services — meaning job training combined with housing navigation, substance use support, and legal aid — in a single location.
REO programs are not available in every city, but your local American Job Center can tell you whether an REO-funded provider operates in your area.
Registered Apprenticeships
Registered Apprenticeships — earn-while-you-learn programs that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction — are open to people with criminal records in most industries. Apprenticeships are available in over 1,000 occupations and typically lead to industry-recognized credentials. The Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder is available at apprenticeship.gov.
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Public Benefits That May Be Available After Incarceration
Job training is only one piece of the puzzle. Stable housing, food access, and healthcare are often prerequisites for holding down a job. Here's what you may be able to access:
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, provides monthly food assistance to low-income households. Eligibility is generally based on household income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for gross income.
Important caveat for returning citizens: Under federal law, individuals convicted of a drug-related felony may face restrictions on SNAP eligibility. However, many states have fully or partially opted out of this ban. As of 2024, the majority of states no longer enforce the federal drug felony ban on SNAP. Your state's rules govern what applies to you — contact your local SNAP office or visit fns.usda.gov/snap to find state-specific information.
Benefit amounts vary by household size and income.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to eligible low-income adults. In states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, adults with incomes at or below 138% of FPL may qualify regardless of family status. People leaving incarceration are often eligible to enroll immediately upon release — and in some states, Medicaid enrollment can begin before release to ensure continuity of care.
Note: Medicaid coverage is suspended (not terminated) during incarceration in most states, meaning you may be able to reactivate existing coverage rather than apply from scratch.
HUD Housing Assistance and Section 8
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). Federal law requires PHAs to deny admission to individuals convicted of certain crimes, including methamphetamine production on federally assisted housing premises and lifetime sex offender registration. Beyond those mandatory exclusions, PHAs have discretion over other criminal history policies — and those policies vary widely.
If you've been denied housing assistance due to a criminal record, you may have the right to request an informal hearing. Contact your local PHA directly or visit hud.gov for guidance.
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Document Checklist: What to Gather Before Applying
Having the right documents ready can significantly speed up your access to services. Here's what most programs will ask for:
- Government-issued photo ID (state ID, driver's license, or passport)
- Social Security card or proof of Social Security number
- Proof of address (a letter from a shelter, transitional housing program, or family member may be accepted)
- Release paperwork or discharge documents from your correctional facility
- Proof of income (if any — pay stubs, benefit award letters)
- Proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status
If you don't have ID, many states offer free or reduced-cost ID programs for people leaving incarceration. Your reentry case manager or local American Job Center can help you navigate this.
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How Philadelphia's Reentry Model Points to What's Possible Nationally
Philadelphia's Division of Reentry — part of the city's Managing Director's Office — coordinates services across workforce development, housing, healthcare, and legal aid for people returning from incarceration. The city's formal recognition of Second Chance Month reflects a broader national shift: more than 40 states now have some form of reentry council or coordinating body.
What Philadelphia does well — connecting people to multiple systems at once rather than sending them to separate agencies — is increasingly the model that federal workforce policy encourages. If your city or county has a reentry office, starting there (rather than navigating each program separately) can save significant time.
To find reentry services in your area, the National Reentry Resource Center (funded by the U.S. Department of Justice) maintains a directory at nationalreentryresourcecenter.org.
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Realistic Timeline: What to Expect
- Day 1–7 post-release: Focus on ID, housing stability, and Medicaid enrollment. These are prerequisites for almost everything else.
- Week 1–2: Visit your nearest American Job Center for a free career assessment and to learn what training funds may be available in your area.
- Week 2–4: Apply for SNAP if you haven't already. Processing typically takes up to 30 days, though expedited processing (within 7 days) may be available if your household has very low or no income.
- Month 1–3: Explore WIOA-funded training programs. Some have waitlists; others can start within weeks.
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People Also Ask
Can people with felony convictions get SNAP benefits? It depends on your state. Federal law originally banned people with drug felony convictions from SNAP, but most states have now fully or partially opted out of that restriction. States like California, New York, and Texas have eliminated the ban entirely. Check your state's SNAP agency or visit fns.usda.gov/snap for current rules where you live.
What is Second Chance Month and who recognizes it? Second Chance Month is recognized every April to raise awareness about the challenges people face after incarceration and to highlight available reentry resources. It was first proclaimed by President Trump in 2018 and has been recognized by subsequent administrations. Cities including Philadelphia formally participate by promoting local reentry services and workforce programs.
What is WIOA and how does it help people with criminal records? The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the primary federal law funding job training for adults. People with criminal records are explicitly listed as a priority population, meaning they may receive preference for training funds and services at American Job Centers. Services include skills training, job placement, and career counseling — all at no cost.
Can I get housing assistance with a criminal record? Possibly. Federal law requires denial only for specific offenses (certain drug crimes on federally assisted property, lifetime sex offender registration). For other convictions, local Public Housing Authorities set their own policies. Some PHAs have adopted fair chance housing policies that limit how far back they look. Contact your local PHA directly and ask about their admissions policy.
Where do I start if I was just released and don't know what programs exist? Start with your local American Job Center (find one at careeronestop.org) or your city or county's reentry office if one exists. Both can help you identify multiple programs at once — workforce training, food assistance, healthcare, and housing — rather than navigating each agency separately. Bring any ID and release paperwork you have.
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Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
Last reviewed: July 2026